Mary-Jean (MJ) Uszy

Multi-Disciplinary Arts Instructor, Musician and Performer

OBJECTIVE

Multi-Disciplinary arts professional interested in education opportunities in music and theatre.

Summary

MJ is a gifted music, theatre and performing arts instructor who teaches private and group classes in theatre, classical to contemporary, numerous styles of voice, piano and theory, private and audition coaching and songwriting with her company, MJDiva Music. MJ has extensive experience teaching all ages and levels theatre and music, as well as numerous other disciplines associated with the performing arts.

A classically-trained vocalist, pianist, and guitar player, MJ has also had extensive experience as a professional actor and classical, musical theatre, singer/songwriter and blues and jazz performer throughout Alberta.

MJ has performed and collaborated with numerous notable companies in Calgary, including the Calgary Opera, Alberta Theatre Projects, the Calgary Fringe Festival, Calgary Ignite! Festival, Hidden Insanity Theatre, Centre Stage Theatre and Stage West for Kids. In 2009, she co-founded The Shatspearean Players, producing and directing The Life And Death Of Richard II, in January 2009, and Pericles, Prince of Tyre in August 2009, and has also created Musical Direction and Sound Design for numerous theatre and film productions.

THEATRE RESIDENCIES and instruction

Providing direction, musical direction, instruction performance, and collaboration in numerous in-school theatre residencies throughout Calgary, some of which include:

Director/Musical Director for this well-attended community event involving families and individuals from throughout Calgary as part of the annual Beakerhead Festival inviting families the public to attend in their best time traveler ware, watch a live theatre production and have a Time Travelers' Parade, ending with a dance party and a chance to save Ramsay, at the Ramsay Arena in Ramsay, Calgary AB.

Director/Musical Director for this highly-attended family community event, part of the annual Beakerhead Festival inviting families and individuals to attend in their best home-made robot costumes and watch a live theatre production starring local youth, engage in a community robot scavenger hunt, and culminate with a techno dance party at the Ramsay Arena in Ramsay, Calgary AB.

2011 - present

Dramantics! - The Alexandra Centre Society, Inglewood, Calgary AB

Co-Instructor with the Dramantics!, the only Youth Theatre Spring Break/Summer Camp of its kind in Calgary where youth ages 8 - 16 create, write and star in their own plays, as well as designing and creating all the costumes and sets for the performances. The summer camp culminates in a performance at the Calgary Fringe Festival.

Planning class modules and instruction numerous Children's Theatre Summer Camps at the Inglewood Community Association, including youth productions of the Pirates of Penzance, Aladdin, Cinderella, Musical Theatre Camp, Young Shakespeare camps and numerous other themes for ages 5 - 12, as well as in-school after-school residencies at the Colonel Walker School for Halloween and Christmas, ages 6 - 12.

19911994

Maenad Theatre

19901992

University of Calgary

The Lover (The Wife, University of Calgary Nickle and Dime Program, 1992)Life Under Water (amy-Joy, University of Calgary Nickle and Dime Program, 1991)Medieval Cycle Plays (Various Roles, University of Calgary Mainstage, 1991)

Jan 1989Jun 1989

Business Careers Certificate

Sep 1984Apr 1986

Bachelor of Music

SPECIAL SKILLS

Inspiring others to find their inner creative voice through the performing arts, including acting, singing, piano, guitar, songwriting and composition. Teaching and directing theatre and music to all ages.